This gene encodes a preproprotein that is proteolytically processed to generate multiple protein products. These products include nociceptin, nocistatin, and orphanin FQ2 (OFQ2). Nociceptin, also known as orphanin FQ, is a 17-amino acid neuropeptide that binds to the nociceptin receptor to induce increased pain sensitivity, and may additionally regulate body temperature, learning and memory, and hunger. Another product of the encoded preproprotein, nocistatin, may inhibit the effects of nociceptin. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2015]
Ulugol, Topuz, Gunduz, Kizilay, Karadag: "Changes in nociceptin/orphanin FQ levels in rat brain regions after acute and chronic cannabinoid treatment in conjunction with the development of antinociceptive tolerance." in: Fundamental & clinical pharmacology, Vol. 30, Issue 6, pp. 537-548, (2016) (PubMed).
Laufenberg, Weller, Lang, Ruiz-Velasco: "Nociceptin receptor signaling in sympathetic neurons from septic rats." in: The Journal of surgical research, Vol. 184, Issue 2, pp. 973-80, (2013) (PubMed).